A compelling investigation into one of our most coveted and cherished ideals, and the efforts of modern science to penetrate the mysterious nature of this timeless virtue.
We all recognize wisdom, but defining it is more elusive. In this fascinating journey from philosophy to science, Stephen S. Hall gives us a dramatic history of wisdom, from its sudden emergence in four different locations (Greece, China, Israel, and India) in the fifth century B.C. to its modern manifestations in education, politics, and the workplace. We learn how wisdom became the provenance of philosophy and religion through its embodiment in individuals such as Buddha, Confucius, and Jesus; how it has consistently been a catalyst for social change; and how revelatory work in the last fifty years by psychologists, economists, and neuroscientists has begun to shed light on the biology of cognitive traits long associated with wisdom--and, in doing so, begun to suggest how we might cultivate it.
Hall explores the neural mechanisms for wise decision making; the conflict between the emotional and cognitive parts of the brain; the development of compassion, humility, and empathy; the effect of adversity and the impact of early-life stress on the development of wisdom; and how we can learn to optimize our future choices and future selves.
Hall's bracing exploration of the science of wisdom allows us to see this ancient virtue with fresh eyes, yet also makes clear that despite modern science's most powerful efforts, wisdom continues to elude easy understanding.
"From the Hardcover edition."
Industry Reviews
"A fascinating attempt to understand one of our most cherished--but least well-understood-aspirations."
--Seed Magazine
"With the flair of an experienced science journalist, Hall takes us on a rollicking interdisciplinary journey through the ages, blending modern science, history and philosophy. . . . Highly readable."
--Nature Neuroscience
"A comprehensive and thought-provoking book that examines the difficult topic of wisdom in a fair--even wise--manner."
--Science News
"Utterly engaging. . . . Hall's work as a translator and intermediary between the humanities and the hard neurosciences is in itself a feat of extraordinary mental balance and understanding."
--The Post and Courier
"Stephen Hall is not just a terrific science writer, he's a terrific writer, period."
--Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore's Dilemma
"Wisdom is a golden-ticket tour of the human mind, in all its dimensions, led by one of the most insightful and trustworthy science journalists we've ever had. This book is a feast, not a snack. Get ready to digest more smart brain science than you ever thought possible."
--David Shenk, author of The Genius in All of Us: Why Everything You've Been Told About Genetics, Talent, and IQ Is Wrong
"Astonishingly wise, incredibly well written and most importantly wonderfully synthetic. One can disagree with some of the parts but few will disagree with the whole. Wisdom is still with us."
--Michael Gazzaniga, author of Human: The Science Behind What Makes Us Unique
"Steve Hall has done it again. He masterfully explains how 'wisdom' comes out of the brain without oversimplifying this enormously complex topic."
--Joseph LeDoux, Synaptic Self: How Our Brains Become Who We Are
"With erudition and literary skill, Stephen Hall brings us a powerful and perceptive synthesis of the contributions made by philosophers, theologians, and 21st century scientists to humankind's ages-old search for the sources of wisdom. As a work of insight and art, this is indeed a wise book."
--Sherwin Nuland, author of How We Die: Reflections of Life's Final Chapter
